Hamburg, 17 July 2012 – The Hamburg-based system supplier Conergy and TÜV Rheinland announced, in June, they are entering a unique partnership and will be collaborating closely in the certification of large photovoltaic plants in the future. The new partnership is based on the high quality standards that distinguish both companies. The aim for the future is that all large Conergy power plants will be evaluated and certified neutrally to the standards of the worldwide leading provider of testing services in the solar sector. Conergy's quality criteria apply already during planning and implementation and, in addition to all the safety-relevant tests, also take into account precise yield measurements during commissioning. This all-round worry-free package for the plant planning thus ensures the customer high yields and maximum security for the long term.

"We are very pleased that Conergy is the first company worldwide to enter into such a partnership with TÜV Rheinland," said Heinz-Peter Tienken, Vice President Conergy Global Large Projects. "With this step, the leading independent testing institute of the sector confirms that our quality standards in planning and plant construction far exceed the levels generally prevailing in the industry and that our customers receive a thoroughly secure deal from a single source."

"The testing carried out with our expertise and the certification of the large Conergy plants to our standards is a first in the industry," said Wilhelm Vaaßen, Head of the Solar Energy Assessment Centre at TÜV Rheinland. "The aim is to offer investors optimum security and transparency. With this partnership, we are going down new avenues to foster the concept of quality and ensure bankability for large plants in a comprehensive manner."

Safety and quality in plant planning, construction and commissioning
Even before construction work begins, the Conergy engineers check all large projects worldwide thoroughly using the so-called "Critical Design Review". During the construction phase, a team of experts carries out repeated quality assurance checks on site. In addition to yield-relevant checks, Conergy also performs all the safety-related testing of the electrical installation according to the applicable standards and the comprehensive criteria of TÜV Rheinland. Categories of testing and certification by TÜV Rheinland cover safety, conformance to standards, functionality and performance. The elements that are examined independently include the quality of the yield forecast, the plausibility of the plant concept, an analysis of the suitability of the plant components in terms of quality, safety, long service life and plant performance as well as the quality of the installation work itself. This is underpinned by extensive measurements taken throughout the plant. The whole process ends with the plant acceptance and measures being put in place to safeguard the yield during operation, which include the maintenance concept with possible repeat checks by TÜV Rheinland.

Strategic expansion of service offering at Conergy
For Conergy, this partnership is another important step in the implementation of its strategic reorientation as a system supplier. In addition to the international sales activities, the provision of services is increasingly gaining in importance here. "Conergy's service portfolio is already very extensive. We offer a wide range from plant planning, engineering, warranty and insurance services to certifications and trainings by TÜV Rheinland, everything from a single source," said Alexander Gorski, COO at Conergy. "And this is just the beginning. We will expand our service portfolio further in the future. In addition to our complete solar systems, we displayed our comprehensive service offerings at the Intersolar trade fair in Munich last month, and with our Lecture Forum we gave booth visitors a chance to sample the company's expert knowhow gained from practical experience."

TÜV Rheinland: worldwide network for safety and quality in the solar sector
With the new partnership, TÜV Rheinland is expanding its long-term involvement in the solar sector. Back in 1995, the worldwide leading provider of testing services in the solar sector started to offer technical testing of solar components in a laboratory setting. Today, the TÜV Rheinland network of solar experts comprises 300 specialists in seven laboratories worldwide. As the global market leader in the testing and certification of solar modules, TÜV Rheinland operates test laboratories in Bangalore (India), Gyeongsan (Korea), Cologne (Germany), Shanghai (China), Taichung (Taiwan), at TÜV Rheinland PTL in Tempe (USA) as well as in Yokohama (Japan). The experts not only test modules and components, they also develop new testing methods and collaborate in research and development projects for the utilisation of solar energy. At an international level, the network of experts accompanies the planning and implementation of large plants with an individual capacity of over 100 MWp in numerous countries.

About Conergy
Conergy delivers solar energy systems from a single source. As a system supplier, Conergy offers all components for a solar installation as well as all related services.

With its portfolio of modules, inverters and mounting systems, the solar expert creates Conergy System Technology, which is efficient solar energy systems for private or commercial rooftops, as well as for multi-Megawatt Parks.

Conergy System Services deliver a "Worry-Free Package" for Conergy solar installations – from "A" for architectural planning to "Y" for yield insurance and "Z" for zero trouble. Conergy's experts not only install on-site turn-key solar projects, but they also manage the planning and financing, project implementation, system monitoring, operation and on-going maintenance of the project for maximum performance. With this comprehensive technology and service package, Conergy offers yield insurance for its installations.

Conergy System Sales brings Conergy premium products to more than 40 countries. From "A" for Australia to "T" for Tunisia – the solar expert supports homeowners, installers, wholesalers and investors in their efforts to "go solar". With sales activities on five continents, Conergy has close relationships with all its customers. In 2011, around three quarters of Conergy's sales were generated outside of Germany.

Listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange, Conergy employs around 1,300 people worldwide. Since Conergy's founding in 1998, it has produced and sold 2 GW of clean solar energy. Thus, in 2011 Conergy solar installations have generated more power than a nuclear reactor.